Darwins Dangerous Idea

Discussion on Darwin’s Dangerous Ideas: This assignment is comprised of 2 postings on the discussion board. First, you are expected to post a substantive contribution of at least 200 words after watching Darwin’s Dangerous Idea video that is found in Module 5. Do this here on the Darwin’s Dangerous Ideas topic in the Discussions. Next, read all the discussion postings by your classmates and respond to one of their thoughts with a second posting of at least 200 words. Note: For both posts, simply saying “I agree” is not a substantive contribution. Your post must support your position, and reflect the concepts and characteristics covered in the Evolution Powerpoint presentation and the Darwin videos. Each posting is worth 20 points for a total of 40 points. There is no grading rubric used for this assignment.

A couple of guidelines for the Darwin Discussion. I want the discussion to focus on science, not on personal beliefs. This is a science class, not a theology class. Remember, for us to examine a scientific idea we must work in the realm of the physical, the measurable, and the perceivable. It is OK to comment on how Darwin struggled with the persecution of the church and how that still occurs today, however, I do not want a discussion, description, or debate on your personal beliefs. This is not meant to insult anyone’s personal beliefs, it is just difficult to debate your beliefs on this discussion board. One way to focus your thoughts is to type them in a word processing program and then later cut- and-paste them into the Discussion posting. This allows you time to think about what you want to say and to save your response. Finally, if you want to debate anything, you must provide literature citations or references for your argument – we are interested in facts and data – not opinions – no exceptions.
Unifying Concepts
Evolution, Natural Selection, and Adaptation
??• Evolution
• Natural Selection • Adaptation
Definitions
??Evolution
• Change in gene frequency of a population over time in response to the environment
• Genotype = genetic makeup
• Phenotype = physical expression of genotype
• Environment is dynamic
??Natural Selection
• Populationshavegeneticvariation
– Individuals in a population have different genotypes and phenotypes
• Height,eyecolor,skincolor,shape
• Differentialreproductivesuccess
– Some individuals leave more offspring over time
– Genotype is currency of selection – Meiosis and mitosis
• Environmentistheselectiveforceon individuals
• Competitionwithconspecificsis mechanism
?
?????????????????????Meiosis Mitosis
Male Female
New Individual
New Cells
?
??Natural Selection • Populationshavegeneticvariation
– Individuals in a population have different genotypes and phenotypes
• Height,eyecolor,skincolor,shape
• Differentialreproductivesuccess
– Some individuals leave more offspring over time – Genotype is currency of selection
– Meiosis and mitosis
• Environmentistheselectiveforceon individuals
• Competitionwithconspecificsis mechanism
?
??Adaptation
• Ability of individual to be successful relative to the environment
• Evolutionary success of individuals in a population is measured by reproductive output
• Measuredrelativetothe environment
– More output = more fit (better adapted)
– Less output = less fit (worse adapted)
??Evolution Example
• Every living organism is an example of evolution
• When you catch a cold, evolution occurs in your body
????Evolution of Bacteria
????Evolution of Bacteria
Bacteria Population
25% Red Genotype
75% Blue Genotype
????Evolution of Bacteria
Bacteria Population
Patient takes antibiotic – environment for bacteria changes – Blue Genotype affected more by antibiotic than Red Genotype
15% Blue Genotype
85% Red Genotype
????Antibiotic changes environment
??25% Red Genotype
85% Red Genotype
Evolution of Bacteria
75% Blue Genotype
Bacteria Population
15% Blue Genotype
??Things to Remember
• Evolutionisafactandatheory
• Fact
– Facts are data
– Facts are not absolute certainty
• Theory
– Structures of ideas that explain and interpret facts
• Remember–scienceisALWAYS open to revision relative to new information
??Things to Remember
• Evolution is heritable change
• Evolution is not directed at a goal of better organisms
??• Please pay attention to the Darwin’s Dangerous Ideas video for a discussion of speciation
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